The number of young people in India who have stopped looking for work out of frustration has risen from 50 million in 2012 to 100 million, development economist Santosh Mehrotra said. The report, published on August 17, 2026, links the employment crisis to youth protests over alleged irregularities in government job examinations in Ranchi and the recent Gen Z protest in Delhi over the NEET question-paper leak.

Government data cited in the report put India’s working-age population at about one billion, with 670 million employed; 80 percent of unemployed people are young. Azim Premji University’s State of Working India 2026 report found unemployment among young graduates as high as 40 percent, while Gen Z unemployment was between 15 and 25 percent. Rathiin Roy said higher education no longer guarantees a good job, citing AI’s impact on information technology jobs and low manufacturing wages.

Experts said GDP growth has not produced jobs at a matching rate. Manufacturing’s share of GDP fell from about 17 percent in 2014-15 to 12 percent by 2024. Mehrotra said India needs about 12.5 million non-agricultural jobs annually but is creating roughly half that number. Of 16 million people trained over the past decade, only 15 percent found work, according to the report.

Robi Axiata PLC has announced that mobile operator brand Airtel will begin a new journey under the name “Circle.” The company formally unveiled the new brand on Monday at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon hotel in the capital. Circle will launch with the brand promise, “Real connection, always active,” according to the announcement.

The company said the change would not alter Airtel customers’ relationship with the operator. All Airtel users will automatically become Circle customers, while their existing 016 numbers, service packages and balances will remain active. Mobile financial services accounts, wallets, transactions and customer information will also remain unchanged.

Robi Axiata said Circle was designed in response to changing digital realities and increasingly connected lifestyles. The brand has pledged future-oriented, technology-based features, including artificial intelligence-related services, aimed at younger users and more affordable, modern digital services. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ziad Satara said Circle represents the next stage of Airtel’s 16-year journey with Bangladesh’s youth, while its core commitment will remain unchanged despite the new name.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day remained atop the North American box office in its third week, according to a report published August 17, 2026. The film earned $19 million in the United States and Canada on Friday, and its weekend total was projected to reach about $67 million.

Its third-week revenue was about 53 percent lower than the previous week, but that was still enough to retain first place. With the current weekend’s earnings included, the film’s cumulative North American gross was projected to reach about $783 million.

Warner Bros.’ science-fiction thriller The End of Oak Street ranked second on Friday, earning $8.1 million from 3,446 North American theaters on its opening day. Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie placed third with $7.3 million on Friday. Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey also held a strong position, earning $6.5 million on the Friday of its fifth weekend.

An anonymous India-based X account posted an unverified claim about Iran’s nuclear programme on the morning of August 5, saying Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi would not abandon efforts to obtain nuclear weapons while Israel and the United States possessed them. The post included Vahidi’s photograph and an AI-generated mushroom-cloud image. No evidence showed that Vahidi made the statement or that Iran had built nuclear weapons.

According to The New York Times’ fact-checking, the claim originated from an Indian X account with about 175,000 followers. Within two hours, another Indian account with about 82,000 followers published a Hindi translation. Israeli accounts then amplified it, followed by Channel 14, Yair Netanyahu, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, Senator Rick Scott and Fox News.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei rejected the viral post as a rumour against the Islamic Republic and blamed Israel without providing evidence. Later, questions arose over the claim’s authenticity, and Waltz’s X post was removed without explanation. The episode showed how a fabricated quotation from an anonymous account could cross borders and languages and influence senior political statements before verification.

US President Donald Trump welcomed a new defence agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, describing it as a “big, bold and important first step.” In remarks on Sunday, Trump said the three countries’ defence cooperation would help strengthen their collective security capabilities in a more effective and meaningful way.

The leaders of the three countries signed the military understanding, called the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, in Mecca on August 7. A central principle of the pact is that an attack on any one member state would be regarded as an attack against all three. The agreement calls for stronger political and military coordination among the participating countries.

The countries also plan joint military exercises across land, naval, air and cyber domains, alongside cooperation on drones, electronic warfare, artificial intelligence and defence technology. Analysts said the agreement carries particular significance amid continuing instability in the Middle East and regional security concerns. Turkey has said the alliance was not formed as an alternative to any existing military alliance. Discussions are also under way about the possible future inclusion of additional countries.

Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam called on the private sector to invest more in startups alongside government financing, saying promising initiatives in Bangladesh should not be halted by lack of funds. He made the remarks on Sunday morning at the launch of the Fund of Funds, organized by Startup Bangladesh Limited at ICT Tower in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The minister said Bangladesh has no shortage of talented entrepreneurs and innovative ideas, and the government wants to create an investment-friendly environment. He said the Fund of Funds would be managed with priority on competence, good governance and professionalism. Startup Bangladesh has already invested about Tk111 crore in 36 technology-based startups.

Prime Minister’s adviser Rehan Asif Asad said venture capital and startups would play an important role in diversifying Bangladesh’s future economic growth. He said startups need mentorship, skills, market connections and technological support as well as financing. The proposed fund is intended to bring more private and international capital, help Bangladeshi startups enter international markets, and support investor protections and the repatriation of lawful profits and capital.

India is reducing reliance on foreign and older weapons while building a technology-driven military capability across air, land and sea, according to a report published on August 16, 2026. The report identifies air defence, border forces, rockets, warships, supersonic missiles, combat aircraft and drones as central parts of this expansion. India’s defence structure had largely depended on weapons and equipment inherited from the British era after independence.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation, established in 1958, has worked on missiles, radars, combat aircraft, warships, armoured vehicles and drones. The report cites indigenous air missile systems, MRSAM, S-400, Barak-8, Spyder and QRSAM as elements of layered air defence. It describes BrahMos, developed jointly by India and Russia, as a supersonic cruise missile deployable from land, sea and air platforms.

India is also increasing the use of Pinaka rocket systems, radars, drone-defence systems and electronic warfare technology in its army. Naval capabilities include Barak-8 or LR-SAM and VL-SRSAM systems. Development work is cited on Tapas, Rustom, Archer, Ghatak and Swift drones, while research is expanding in radars, sensors, command and control, artificial intelligence and hypersonic technology.

Twenty popular songs by Bangladeshi band music legend Ayub Bachchu are set to be released in new arrangements to mark his birthday. The special album, titled “Uttoradhikar,” will be issued on double CD and digital platforms. Eight bands and 12 artists from the country have reinterpreted the songs for the project.

Dalchhut performed “Rupali Guitar,” Arbovirus recorded “Nil Bedona,” Shonar Bangla Circus performed “Gotokal Rate,” and Shubhojatra recorded “Cholo Bodle Jai.” Calypso performed “Chand Mama,” RockSalt recorded “Ochena Jibon,” Dopamine performed “Madhobi,” and A K Rahul sang “Mon Chaile Mon.”

Other performers include Babna Karim and Russell Ali, Romel Ali, Chandan Jaman Ali-Menon, Kaniz Suborna and Sajjad, Palash, Joy Shahriar, Adit, Bakhtiar Hossain, Atika Yamin, Autumnal Moon, Kanak Acharya, and Taufiq-AB-Menon. Iqbal Asif Jewel mastered all the tracks. Project coordinator Chishti Iqbal said Ayub Bachchu’s wife Ferdous Akhtar Chandana initiated the idea, after which discussions finalized the 20-song album.

Shawon Khan, president of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal’s Rangashree Union unit in Bakerganj upazila of Barishal, was relieved of his organisational post on Saturday night after a video allegedly showing him using yaba went viral on social media. The decision was announced in a press release signed by upazila unit convener Niamul Haque Nahid and member secretary Rakib Talukdar.

The report said a 16-second video circulated throughout Saturday, showing Khan sitting on one corner of a bed in a room and allegedly using yaba. It could not be confirmed where or when the footage was recorded. The video’s circulation prompted various comments and reactions on social media, and local Chhatra Dal leaders took notice of the matter.

The press release cited specific allegations of activities contrary to party policy, ideals and organisational discipline in removing Khan as president of the No. 12 Rangashree Union unit. Khan denied the allegation, claiming the video was created using artificial intelligence to discredit him after a fight at an event on August 14. Talukdar said the matter had been sent to the district level for investigation and that organisational action had been taken.

Highway Police will launch an AI-based “Auto Fine System” on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway on August 18, according to a notice published on August 15. The initiative is intended to strengthen road safety and traffic discipline and provide a more effective, transparent, technology-driven response to vehicles that violate traffic laws on the highway.

Under the system, authorities will take action under existing laws against speeding, illegal parking, driving in the wrong direction and other traffic violations. Modern AI cameras will identify offending vehicles, after which case information will be sent automatically by SMS to the mobile phone of the vehicle’s registered owner.

Once case information is received, vehicle owners will be able to pay fines through designated mobile financial services, including bKash and Nagad. Highway Police said the technology-based system would allow faster identification and preservation of traffic-violation information, while making fine collection more rapid, transparent, accurate and effective. It said the system is expected to raise public awareness of compliance with traffic laws, establish greater order in vehicle movement and help reduce road accidents.

The National Press Club held a qawwali evening on Friday, featuring performances by Bangladeshi qawwali and Sufi music artists Samir Qawwal and Syed Sajjad Hossain Arman with their teams. The programme began at 7pm and presented qawwalis in Urdu, Hindi and Bangla for the audience at the National Press Club.

The performers sang “Ali Ali Maula Ali,” “Parda Hai Parda,” “Amar Deho Mon Bole Nabi Nabi,” “Ishqe Nabi Dil Me Payda Karo,” “Damadum Mast Qalandar,” and “Khwaja Baba Khwaja Baba Marhaba Marhaba,” among other selections. The report said the performances captivated audience members.

Press Club General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan delivered the opening welcome address, while club President poet Hasan Hafiz declared the event open. Kader Gani Chowdhury, convenor of the special events and hospitality subcommittee, moderated the programme. Attendees included Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan MP, Professor Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain MP, former Dhaka University vice chancellor Professor Dr Anwarullah Chowdhury, and Manab Zamin editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, alongside several club management committee members.

Turkey’s Defense Ministry has outlined plans for regular coordination under the Mecca joint defense agreement signed by Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The mechanism will include the three countries’ defense and foreign ministers as well as senior military officials. The report was published on August 14, 2026.

Under the agreement, the countries will hold joint exercises involving land, naval and air forces, as well as air defense and drone systems. The ministry said cooperation will also expand in joint defense-industry development and production, technology exchange, maintenance and logistics. Drones and autonomous systems, electronic warfare and artificial intelligence will receive particular emphasis.

According to the pact signed on August 7, an armed attack on any one of the three countries will be treated as an attack on all. Turkey said the agreement is open to other countries and is not a substitute for existing alliances. Turkey is also taking part in an initiative to form an international coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs said an “unusual” cyberattack using artificial intelligence targeted multiple government agencies from a foreign source beginning on July 20. The country’s cybersecurity monitoring unit detected the operation, while the National Institute of Cyber Security issued several alerts during the investigation. Israeli AI company Dream said attackers used open-source AI agents to build an automated hacking tool that operated like a coordinated cyber team.

Dream said the attackers accessed at least 85 government user accounts and collected information on more than 2,500 employees. The operation was later expanded to target Taiwan’s nuclear safety agency and at least seven energy companies. Dream described the case as unprecedented, though cybersecurity researcher Chris Thomas cautioned that AI should not be viewed as a fully autonomous hacking weapon because humans still determine targets, objectives and instructions.

The ministry said its investigation into the attack’s source, methods and impact had concluded, and affected agencies had taken necessary measures. Taiwan has prepared defensive guidance and strengthened monitoring to detect and stop attacks earlier. Authorities did not directly blame China, while reports cited suspicions of China-linked hackers and Dream noted simplified Chinese in internal communications connected to the attack.

Palestinian digital rights group 7amleh, working with a Utrecht University research team, alleges that Meta has reduced the reach of Palestinian advocacy content, suspended accounts and limited live broadcasts on Facebook and Instagram. The Al Jazeera report, published on August 13, 2026, cites “The Platformside of Palestine 2021–2025,” which analyzed more than 3,500 verified incidents documented through 7amleh’s 7or monitoring system.

Researchers say the cases indicate a structural trend limiting Palestinians’ digital presence, visibility and participation rather than isolated technical errors. From January 2021 through December 2025, only 32.5 percent of documented incidents specified a policy violation. Among cases where a reason was identified, 57.2 percent cited Meta’s Dangerous Organizations and Individuals policy; the figure was 71.1 percent for journalists.

Meta said reported content is now routed to moderators who understand relevant Arabic dialects and that its policy has been revised to allow more social and political speech in certain cases. But 7amleh said it filed 2,828 appeals for affected users over five years and received no response in nearly half. The report also warns that removed Gaza videos and testimony could be lost as potential evidence for future war-crimes investigations.

Salman Shah’s mother, Neela Chowdhury, has said there was no romantic relationship between the late Bangladeshi actor and his frequent co-star Shabnur. In remarks reported on August 12, 2026, she said Salman, who had no sister of his own, treated Shabnur like a younger sister and affectionately called her “Pichchi.”

Chowdhury said Shabnur relied on Salman for various needs and that he looked after her like an elder brother. She argued that people and media outlets at the time misinterpreted their close relationship and spread romance rumours. Shabnur had previously denied the claims several times, describing Salman as a respected senior co-star and elder brother, and saying the false rumours caused her mental distress during her career.

Salman acted in 27 films during his short career, with Shabnur starring opposite him in 14 of them. Their pairing began with “Tumi Amar” and later featured commercially successful films including “Sujon Sokhi” and “Anondo Oshru.” The old controversy resurfaced recently following the arrest of villain actor Don, nearly three decades after Salman’s mysterious death on September 6, 1996.